Since its founding in 1979 in La Porte, Texas, GrantWorks has grown to become the largest firm in Texas dedicated principally to community development grant program management. The firm is ideally positioned to assist the Texas General Land Office with the complex task of implementing CDBG-DR Round 2 non-housing grants.
Each of GrantWorks’ key strengths yields competitive advantages:
Company Scope: With more than $450 million managed in thousands of contracts for hundreds of clients across Texas, GrantWorks has the experience and knowledge required for effective program delivery across the hurricane impact area. The breadth of project experience we bring is unmatched among the state’s grant administrators—disaster relief, coastal improvements, utility infrastructure, drainage, roads, renewable energy, economic development, septic tank replacement, force account management, and complex acquisition—and enhances our top-notch application and implementation services.
Ability to Execute: Our 40 employees include nine (9) full-time CD Grant Managers under the leadership of our Vice President for Community Development. This division is supported by our Labor Standards, Environmental Review, LMI Beneficiary, Applications, and Fair Housing specialists and by our Client Services Team and LMI Survey Team in the field. This strong support allows our CD Managers to focus on proactive project implementation. Our unrivaled capacity allowed the firm to manage more than 310 ($139 million) and close nearly 130 ($40 million) in projects and prepare around 200 new applications for CDBG funding in 2010 and 2011 (TxCDBG, Texas Capital Fund, DRS).
Quality Staffing: GrantWorks believes in hiring skilled and experienced employees. Around half of our employees hold a master’s degree in city planning, engineering, construction management, or related field. More than a dozen joined us after successful careers in state and local government or in related consulting. Many of our clerks and assistants hold undergraduate degrees and are often promoted from within the organization. GrantWorks’ broad-based quality enhances our performance and spreads effective decision-making across our organization. Our capacity mitigates the consultant-at-the-top bottleneck experienced by our competitors.
Integrated Services: GrantWorks’ Community Development, Planning, and Housing divisions work together to benefit our client communities. Having these functions under one roof allows for proactive problem solving, improved performance, and turn-key service. We can draw upon company-wide competencies ranging from LMI beneficiary documentation and real estate acquisition to engineering (TBPE F-8675) and GIS in planning and implementing CDBG-DR projects.
Industry Leadership: After years as a “middle of the pack” CDBG administrator, GrantWorks developed a new service delivery model in the late 1990s that stressed the full-service, turn-key approach desired by many local governments. As we expanded our services to include housing, coastal, transportation, parks, public service and other related programs we added dozens of clients across the state. When competitors rose to meet our challenge, grant services were improved across Texas. At the same time, we actively developed relationships with funding agencies and the legislature by providing public comment, attending governing board meetings, and offering constructive feedback and support whenever possible.
Commitment to Excellence: GrantWorks is dedicated to providing the best services meeting the highest standards in all that we do. This is reflected in our numerous long-standing client relationships, our dedication to staff training and certification, and our continuous involvement at every step of the grant process.
